tonight, abc's jon karl investigates. >> reporter: florida resident robin dekle was behind bars for violating parole on a drug charge but that's when authorities say she got more than $5,000 in unemployment checks last year. when she got out, florida officials say she blew that taxpayer cash on a trip to orlando and universal studios. and that may be the tip of the iceberg. over the past year, more than 1 out of every $10 the federal government dolled out in unemployment benefits, nearly $17 billion in all, went to people who should not be getting them. some jailbirds. most of them people who kept collectiti checks even after they landed a job. it's especially infuriating to those who play by the rules. >> i know times are hard for everybody, but people who go through the process, i'm -- you're legally trying to do the right thing, it's a hassle enough. and to find this out makes you want to, you know -- >> it's taxpayer money. so, we take it very seriously. and we are activity and energetically putting plans in place to make sure that we get this number down quickly. >> reporter: unemploymen